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The Last Tree

After the razing of the 22 acres formerly known as the Tiffany Park Woods, it was time to take out the last tree near our home. No hard feelings. In fact, I’m over it. For the last several months I’ve actually enjoyed following the progress of the new development. (Of course I have no choice; the construction is in my backyard.) Most of the trees were gone months ago, but they waited until now to take out the old cottonwood behind us, probably because the overhang onto our property required special handling.

It was the one tree we were happy to see go. It didn’t seem healthy and its old branches had woven into one of our Douglas Firs. It was also a messy tree that dropped leaves and debris year round. Even worse than the leaves, it dropped sticky pods everywhere that the poor cats brought in on their fur.

You can see the old tree next to our evergreens.

We’d been waiting for it to be removed and were happy when we found out it was finally coming down. We watched as they secured cables and pulleys to the tree and the brave logger climbed up high into its branches. He looks like a large woodpecker in the picture below.

We stood a good distance away and watched as he cut away the most invasive limbs, including the very limb he was sitting on!

I uttered a prayer for his safety (and ours) but still wondered if I could outrun the tree if it landed opposite to where they planned. After enough limbs were removed a rope was tied to a large tractor nearby and pulled taut. ‘X’ marked the spot for the sawing to begin.

The deepest cut occurred on the right side where the fall should occur. Less cutting followed on the opposite side, and then the shouting began to move that tractor! A few seconds later we heard the sharp crack of the tree and then the thunderous boom as the earth shook when it hit the ground. The end came quickly and I struggled to capture the actual fall, having forgotten my camera settings were zoomed in and close-up.

See what I mean? What can I say, I’m still learning!

While lamenting my poor picture of the climax, the Project Manager standing nearby was kind enough to share some great shots he got with his phone.

And this was how it looked outside our fence after the fall. A perfect landing!

So, that’s that,. No more floating cotton, messy leaves nor picking out the sticky pods from our cats’ fur. The project continues with more infrastructure and road work the next couple months. Then the building of houses begins, after which we eagerly await the replanting of trees (five for everyone one removed we hear) and a new cedar fence besides (so we hope and as rumor has it.)

10 Comments on “The Last Tree”

Can’t tell you how many times I have neglected to change the setting on a camera. None had positive results.. I hope the removal of that “last” tree results in something positive… I am old and clinical which leaves one wishing I had fewer neighbors and more trees….. Just saying…

We surely do miss those beautiful woods but we had to let it go. At least we were able to enjoy them for many years, and especially all the birds that would visit. Fortunately, there are other woods nearby, and I’m hopeful all the birds and critters found good homes! thanks for your comment.

Despite the mess it used to leave, i am always sorry to see such a huge tree fall. The photos show just how close that new development is going to be. I hope you at least get to meet some nice new neighbours. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.

We were all so sorry to see the woods go. I was mostly sorry for the birds and wildlife though it was sure nice to have that peaceful setting in back of our house. This tree was on the very edge and was not in the best shape. Even still it was sad to see it come down, though interesting to watch! thanks for your comment. 🙂

How many houses are they planning for that property? My friends in Vancouver are about to have 11 houses crammed onto a plot next to them which is only about twice the size of their single family plot.

Unfortunately houses are being built on smaller and smaller lots these days, with small yards. My understanding is that they are planning to build around 90 houses on the 22 acres of land they have cleared.